Local food economy
Supporting our Local Food Economy means taking action to make it easier for people to buy and eat good food that’s been produced locally. See what actions the Bristol Good Food Partnership are prioritising to do this.
What’s it about?
Although around 80% of food consumption happens in urban areas, cities can easily become removed from the food supply chains that feed them. When we grow more of our food closer to our homes, urban areas become more resilient, relying less on imports and empowering communities to take direct control of the food they eat from a supply chain they can see for themselves. We can then prioritise farming that regenerates the landscape and uses fewer pesticides.
When the Local Food Economy begins to fail, the impacts are felt throughout the city. Independent businesses struggle to survive on local high streets, jobs are lost and access to good food is reduced. With fewer local producers and suppliers, we rely more heavily on imports and big supermarket and restaurant chains, reducing the economic benefit felt locally and often contributing to a higher carbon footprint. Check in below for progress updates about work on this issue and the Local Food Economy priorities.
Working Groups
There are two Working Groups within the Local Food Economy theme, the Infrastructure Working Group and The Procurement Working Group. The procurement group consists of representatives from North Bristol NHS Trust, Bristol City Council, Dynamic Purchasing UK and University of Bristol. This group meets every month for one hour.
The organisations that make up the Infrastructure Working Group are Bristol Living Wage City, Feeding Bristol, Kate’s Kitchen Catering Ltd, Poco Tapas Bar, Source Foodhall, The Assemblies Ltd (The Canteen, No.1 Harbourside and The Old Market Assembly), The Community Farm, University of Bristol and Bricks Bristol. This Working Group also meets each month.
Vision
Independent food businesses are supported, whilst local, regional and sustainable food is accessible to everyone.
Outcome 1: Training opportunities and employment conditions have improved with more diversity amongst staff
Outcome 2: Carbon emissions from food distribution have reduced
Outcome 3: Local, sustainable, culturally appropriate and nutritious food is accessible and affordable for all citizens
Outcome 4: The economic contribution of the local food economy continues to grow and more food businesses remain open
Procurement from suppliers of local, regional and sustainable provenance is widespread.
Outcome 1: Procurement from local and regional suppliers has increased
Outcome 2: Organisations have implemented sustainable food procurement standards
Outcome 3: Hospitality and catering organisations use carbon footprinting to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions of the food they procure
These priorities are taken from Bristol Good Food 2030: A One City Framework for Action which aims to transform the city’s food system within this decade, supporting its ambitions on health, climate, biodiversity and social justice.
Progress Updates
July update
Read More about the story: July update.April update
Read More about the story: April update.October update
Read More about the story: October update.Framework & Action Plan published
Read More about the story: Framework & Action Plan published.April update
Read More about the story: April update.January update
Read More about the story: January update.November update
Read More about the story: November update.First meetings
Read More about the story: First meetings.Join the conversation
So, what change do you want to see happen that will transform food in Bristol by 2030? Do you already have an idea for how Bristol can make this happen? Join the conversation now.
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